Omega-3
EPA/DHA
ESPRICO® is a dietary food for specific medical purposes (balanced diet), i.e. for the dietary treatment
of AD(H)D (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder)
accompanied by poor concentration and learning
difficulties.
The significance of omega fatty acids
Long-chain, polyunsaturated omega fatty acids have essential functions in relation to the metabolic processes
that take place within the brain. The omega fatty acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) plays an important role in
the transmission of information from cell to cell. Omega-3
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a structural component
of nerve cell membranes and important for brain development. The omega-6 fatty acid GLA (gamma-linolenic
acid) is also involved in brain growth and brain function,
including learning and memory processes. The body is not
able to produce omega fatty acids on its own. They are
therefore essential (vital) to human health and have to be
obtained from the food we eat.
Various studies show that AD(H)D and accompanying disorders such as poor reading or writing can be helped by
the dietary administration of long-chain, polyunsaturated
fatty acids. ESPRICO® consists of a balanced blend of
sea fish oil and evening primrose oil and is therefore high
in polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 EPA, omega-3
DHA and omega-6 GLA). ESPRICO® thus fits the specific nutritional needs that children with AD(H)D have and
meets their medical nutritional requirements. Based on the
specific needs of AD(H)D children, the mineral and vitamin
content in ESPRICO® has been selected so as to meet
these needs. In addition to this, it has a higher content of
magnesium and zinc.
AD(H)D = attention deficit / hyperactivity
disorder
In recent years, AD(H)D has been diagnosed more and
more frequently. At present, 6 % of all 6 to 10-year-olds
are diagnosed with it. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is
marked by pronounced inattentive and impulsive behaviour. In the case of attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), restlessness and the urge to be constantly in motion are further symptoms. The disorder appears during the
early years of childhood. It is not only temporary, but lasts
for at least longer than six months. As a rule, AD(H)D is accompanied by poor concentration and learning difficulties.
However, not every inattentive, restless or far-away child
Omega-6
GLA
Magnesium
Zinc
has AD(H)D. Maybe he/she is still playful, lively or likes to
daydream. A specialist should be called in accordingly to
make a differential diagnosis.
Poor concentration
Concentration is the ability to gather oneself inwardly and
to focus all one’s powers on a specific target. Any eventual
interference is blanked out.
For everyday life at school, this means: the ability to pay
undivided attention to schoolwork for some time.
More and more demands are being made on children.
Information overload and external stimuli, which parents
and children are not able to control, are constantly on the
rise.
Unfocussed children find it very hard to target their attention. They are easily distracted and like to drift off because
they have to process so many impressions and thoughts.
They are restless, absent-minded, make careless mistakes
and forget things easily.
Poor concentration is a passing problem. Temporary, unfocussed behaviour can have many causes: mental underload or overtaxing, a lack of exercise, unbalanced diet, too
much time in front of the television or computer among
other things. Targeted training programmes can help a
great deal in improving poor concentration. Switching to
a diet high in polyunsaturated omega fatty acids can also
have positive effects.
ESPRICO®
ESPRICO® has been developed on the basis of present
scientific knowledge specially for the nutritional needs
of children aged 5 and above who are suffering from
AD(H)D. The fruity chewable capsules contain sea fish oil
with a high concentration of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty
acids. As a result, ESPRICO® is particularly high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are so essential to proper
functioning of the nervous system. It also contains the
minerals magnesium and zinc, which are also essential for
optimum brain function.
What function do the individual components in ESPRICO® have?
Omega-3 EPA
(Eicosapentae-
noic acid)
Is needed for many metabolic processes and plays a role in the transmission of information from cell to cell
Omega-3 DHA
(Docosahexae-
noic acid)
Has important metabolic functions
and is part of the nerve cell membrane. It plays an important role in the
development of the brain
Omega-6 GLA
(Gamma-lino-
lenic acid)
Is involved in the synthesis of the brain
and its functions such as learning,
memory, concentration and attention
Magnesium
Regulates the transmission of stimuli in the brain
Zinc
Is involved in the transmission of
signals between nerves and is an
important cofactor in the fatty acid
metabolic process
Nutrition facts ESPRICO®
Nutrition
facts
per portion
2 capsules
per 100 g
Energy
26 kJ (6 kcal) 1300 kJ (300 kcal)
Protein
0.2 g
10 g
Carbohydrates
of which sugars
0.4 g
-
20 g
-
Fat
of which satura-
ted fatty acids
0.5 g
0.14 g
25 g
7g
Eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA)
200 mg
10 g
Docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA)
20 mg
1g
Gamma-linolenic
acid (GLA)
2.7 mg
0.135 g
phthalates (emollients), gluten, lactose (milk sugar) and
preservatives.
Ingredients (per 100 g): 33.5% sea fish oil with a high concentration of omega-3 (33.5 g), xylitol, humectant: glycerin, magnesium citrate (12.4 g), gelatine, modified starch,
vegetable oil, medium-chain triglycerides (2.8 g), 2.3%
evening primrose oil (2.3 g), orange flavouring, emulsifier:
soya bean lecithins, zinc gluconate (0.9 g), acidifier: citric
acid, colourings: iron oxide and titanium dioxide, sweetener: acesulfame K.
ESPRICO® – supreme quality is a matter
of course
• Pure and gently processed sea fish oil, obtained from
fish from the south Pacific.
• Cold-pressed, pure vegetable evening primrose oil, the
gamma-linolenic acid source.
• All oils are stringently tested for heavy metals and other
harmful chemicals.
Instructions for use: Children aged 5 and above are to
take 2 capsules daily, both in the morning and at night
during or after meals. The capsules can either be chewed
or swallowed whole with a small amount of fluid as preferred. The contents of the capsules can also be squeezed
out onto a spoon or stirred into meals.
Important information: ESPRICO®must be used under medical supervision. ESPRICO®is a food for special
medical purposes. ESPRICO®should not be taken in the
event of allergy to any of its ingredients, e.g. fish or evening primrose.
May have a laxative effect if taken excessively.
A varied and balanced diet as well as a healthy lifestyle
are important.
Storage instructions:
As fatty acids are very sensitive to light and heat, the capsules should preferably always be kept in their box in a
cool and dry place.
ESPRICO® is available in packs of 60 and 120 capsules.
Fibre
-
-
Sodium
-
-
Magnesium
40 mg (10,5%*) 2000 mg (535%*)
Zinc
2.5 mg (25%*) 125 mg (1250%*)
*Reference value in accordance with the EU Directive on
the nutrition labelling of foodstuffs.
One ESPRICO® capsule contains 185 mg of xylitol, equiv.
to 0.015 BU.
ESPRICO® is free from glutamates (flavour enhancers),
You will find more information on the subject
AD(H)D, concentration and diet, as well as exercises
for boosting concentration and attention and information for parents on our homepage www.esprico.de.
Date of revision of information November 2009
Engelhard Arzneimittel GmbH & Co.KG
Herzbergstr. 3, 61138 Niederdorfelden
Tel.: 06101 / 539 - 300, Fax: 06101 / 539 - 315
www.engelhard-am.de
[email protected]
Stand: 02/10; PB1600000